Watercycle

Watercycle is our ambitious national music education project for 2014 – 2016, which will support long-term standards of music education teaching across the country. After the launch of the project at the Spitalfields Festival in June 2014, we have been delivering three-day residencies around the country with each participating area receiving bespoke training, workshops, visits and concerts from OAE players. Two special Watercycle songs have been commissioned from composer James Redwood, which have been performed in each location by primary pupils, secondary students and local choirs.

‘Music to be performed on water and inspired by water’

Watercycle responds to the challenges of the moment. It aims to inspire new generations of teachers and musicians, focusing on areas in the country where music education faces its greatest struggle. The project aims to provide teachers and musicians with enhanced skills to deliver outstanding music education opportunities for young people and to maintain high standards in music education.

So far we have visited Brighton, York, Chesterfield, Bradford on Avon, King’s Lynn, Plymouth, London, Lowestoft and finish the project in Southampton.

As part of the Waterycle project, we have been raising money for WaterAid and have signed up to their ‘Bottle it’ campaign. Pupils from participating primary schools were asked to collect pennies in 500ml water bottles which we then used as percussion in our schools concerts. We also had collections at the end of our TOTS and Community Concerts and are delighted to say that so far we have raised nearly £10 000 for WaterAid.

‘Amazing indeed – absolutely wonderful and I’m in total awe of the way you do OAE Education – the excellence, the warmth with people and the imagination.’ Jo Glover – Sloop Group (York)